On the High Seas

[theficticiousme]

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The cruiseship stood proudly in the harbour, waiting patiently for its passengers. As he unloaded my bags from the cab, Ray took a moment to take in a breath of the atmosphere building on the docks.

He had won this trip on a local radio competition. At first, he wasn't sure whether he should go. Being a very successful stockbroker left him very little time to relax and enjoy life. But when he landed the Jefferson deal last week, he was told to take a holiday. It couldn't have come at a better time.

Inside, the crusie ship was even more beautiful. The carpeted hallways were soft under each step, the crystal clear windows giving amazing views in each direction. His cabin had everything, including his own private deck with jacuzzi.

He collapsed on the bed, smiling to himself.

Then again, he would be smiling a lot more once we returned......

 

[queenclaire]

Cassandra breathed deeply as she entered her room on the ship. She really needed this break after the year she had been though. She left her bag on the floor as she sat on the edge of the bed. It was such a small room, but it was better than nothing.

She had been hesitant on taking this trip alone. She just figured she would sit by the pool and read as she soaked up the sun and drink. It was better than sitting in her apartment and doing the same. At least this way she was traveling as she did it.

She looked at her watch and then around the room. She might as well get out and walk around the boat and see where everything was. She stood up and pulled a hair brush out of her bag, running it through her red hair. She smiled at herself in the mirror, her bright blue eyes sparkling. She slid the room key into her back pocket of her tight fitting blue jeans, after she checked out her tight pink baby doll top in the mirror. She did not want to look too grungy, not that the 23 year old had any illusions of meeting someone on this cruise. She stepped out of her room and made her way to the main deck where drinks were being served. She leaned against the rail as she looked around.

 

[theficticiousme]

Ray changed out of his suit and into a polo shirt and boarder shorts, keen to get out on the top deck to watch the ship leave the port. He topped it off with some aviatar glasses and left his cabin.

Up on deck, he breathed in the fresh sea air. He smiled for the first time in weeks. He surveyed the deck, from its three swimming pools, complete with jacuzzi and water slides for the kids, to the numerousbars that seemed to cater to all
lifestyles.Right now, he need a cocktail. He ordered his favourite, Long Island iced tea, from the nearest bar. He leaned out over the rail and took in the view of the harbour below. He could see the city in the background. He was glad to
leave behind the bustling metropolis and all his worries, at least for a couple of weeks.

A few minutes, the mooring ropes were on board and the ship left its dock.

 

[queenclaire]

Cassandra watched as the ship started to sail off. It seemed weird to leave behind her life for a while, but the cool harbor breeze was beckoning her to let go for a bit and just be. She closed her eyes as she inhaled deeply. She smiled as she mentally reminded herself why she came. Seemed to be a good enough reason.

She walked over to the bar and ordered a whiskey sour. She decided she would enjoy her time on the ship. She sat at an empty table on the deck and watched the ship sail out to sea. The seagulls were still flying over head, seeing the ship out. She took a sip of her drink and looked around at all the people. Most people were here with at least one other person. She suddenly felt silly about doing this cruise alone. She took another sip of her drink and looked back out at the water, at least she brought a lot of books.

 

[theficticiousme]

As Ray looked around, he noticed only couples, not a single person anywhere. He suddenly felt very alone. He walked along the deck to the back of the boat, watching the wake being created by the ship. There was a small bar, with a few chairs and tables.

He stopped suddenly, noticing the lone woman sitting at one of the tables. She was breathtaking, her blues sparkling and her red hair shimmering in the afternoon light. He wondered who she was here with, husband, boyfriend. She couldn't possibly be here alone.

But he had to find out, she could be the only other single person on the ship. Seeing that she was staring out the back of the boat, he commented,

"Missing home already?", flashing a smile.

 

[queenclaire]

Cassandra was lost in thought. She needed to unwind a bit and leave her worrying behind. She heard a voice and looked up to see a very attractive gentleman standing before her. It took a second to registered he was talking to her. She had to stop herself from looking around and make sure there was not someone behind her, though she knew there was not.

“Not quite,” she replied with a smile, “Just enjoying the view while we have it. Soon it will just be miles of sea.” She took a sip of her drink so she could stop herself from staring at him. He probably was just chatting with her to kill time while his girlfriend, whom was probably a model, was off getting a drink. She decided to see if he was here with another, “So, decided on the romantic cruise for a vacation?”

 

[theficticiousme]

Ray chuckled at her comment.

"Well my company paid for the trip as a way of forcing me to take some time off. I didn't realize how couple-y this place was until I arrived."

He took this chance to sit at the empty chair opposite her.

"So are you just waiting on your boyfriend?"

He said boyfriend because he didn't see a ring on her finger.

 

[queenclaire]

Cassandra eyes brightened as he commented on there only seemed to be couples on the cruise. Sounded like he was alone. At least she was not the only one that noticed. She laughed softly at his question. She looked away shyly and tucked some of her red hair behind her ear. “First you have to have a boyfriend to wait on him. I um…” she started and looked back at him, “came on the romantic cruise alone.” She smiled at him softly, embarrassed about being alone and the fact she could not take her eyes off of him. “I am Cassandra, by the way.” She offered him her hand.

 

[theficticiousme]

Ray's heart leaped when he heard she was single. He shook her offered hand,

"I'm Ray. I know this might sound a little weird, but as the only 2 single people on this ship, would you like have dinner tonight?"

He shocked himself by how forward he was being. He hadn't had a date in about a year. Work always got in the way. But now, he had nothing to stop him.

 

[queenclaire]

Cassandra smiled at Ray and shook his hand. It was nice to meet someone else in the same boat as she was. Especially one so charming. She bit her lower lip shyly at the dinner invitation. She was not used to being asked to dinner right after meeting someone, but they did seem to be the only single people. She nodded, “That would be lovely, Ray, thank you.” She offered him a smile and then shyly looked away, back at the sea. “I am glad I am not the only single one on this cruise, honestly. I was starting to think I did not bring enough books.” She looked back at him and took a sip of her drink.

 

[theficticiousme]

Ray smiled when she accepted his invitation. Suddenly, the trip look a whole lot brighter. He then chuckled at her book joke,

"Tell me about it, I was wondering at what point I was going to get bored with sunbathing".

He took a sip of his cocktail, studying her face. It was the face of an angel, flawless. Her fiery red hair was a stark contrast to her pale, freckled skin. He was in awe.

 

[queenclaire]

“Yeah, I was wondering the same thing myself. I thought I would lay out and read for a bit as well. But I cannot do too much of it, you know, fair skin. I suppose I could moon bathe.” She paused as she realized how sensual that sounded and that she just said it in front someone she barely knew.

She took a sip of her drink and tried to think of something to change the subject. “So, this was a forced vacation, you said? What do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?” She hoped he did not think her last comment was too anything other than normal. She watched him for a moment. His smile was adorable and his eyes were mesmerizing. She looked away, hoping he did not catch her staring.

 

[theficticiousme]

Ray laughed when she mentioned moonbathing,

"Well I've heard that's quite fun", flashing another at the beauty across the table.

Answering her question about his work, he said,

"I'm a stockbroker. I guess I have been working a lot lately. I was in the office more than my boss, so I guess him forcing me to take this holiday is his way of stopping me making him look bad", smiling again.

"What do you do?"

 

[queenclaire]

Cassandra smiled as Ray stated he heard moon bathing was fun. Her mind wondered to what he might look like bathed in moon light. She could only imagine that his eyes would still hold everyone’s attention as they do now. She realized she was quite lucky to be stuck on this cruise with a man that looked like him.

“Oh, I am sure you make him look bad in more ways than one.” Cassandra covered her mouth as she realized she had said that out loud. “Oh, I think I need to stop drinking,” she said with a smile. She sighed at his question, “Oh…I am a nurse. I have been just over whelmed with work lately, so I decided to take a vacation. A friend of mine took a cruise earlier this year and said it was so relaxing, so I thought I would give it a go.”

 

[theficticiousme]

Ray again laughed at her comments. He really liked her, she seemed care free and spoke openly, though she was blaming the drink.

"Yeah I haven't been on a cruise yet myself. I thought it would be a nice way to relax. Never thought I'd meet someone like you here though."

He decided to be a bit bold himself. He wanted to relax, and a little flirting seemed to be working between them.

 

[queenclaire]

Cassandra paused as he spoke. She was sure she had blushed as well. She could feel her cheeks heating up. She smiled at him, “Oh yeah…someone that seems to speak without thinking first. Not sure that is a good thing.” She finished off her drink and looked at him, “I tend to speak my mine at times. Gets me in trouble a lot. I am sorry. This is probably why I have to vacation alone.” Not too many people liked to be stuck with someone like her. She smiled, “But while I am not thinking before I speak, I have to ask. Are really single or just here alone?”

 

[theficticiousme]

Ray smiled at her question,

"I'm single. What about you? I find it hard to believe a gorgeous girl like you can be single."

Ray finished off his cocktail and looked at his watch. It was getting late in the afternoon. He'd need some time to get ready for their date. He'd make his exit once he found how he would play tonight.

 

[queenclaire]

Cassandra smiled at Ray, "That is kind of you to say, but I am not gorgeous." She could not hide the fact she was blushing now. Such a handsome man and he was complimenting her, it was unreal. She smiled at him shyly, "Yes, I am single." She was still in shock that he was single. What luck! She bit her lower lip and looked at the table, "I guess I ought to get ready for dinner." She looked up at him and smiled, "Where shall I meet you and what time, Ray?"

 

[theficticiousme]

Ray stood,

"Say 7 o' clock at the bar by the Market Garden restaurant".

When she nodded, he smiled and turned. He made his way back to his cabin. Once inside, he shed his polo shirt and boarder shorts, along with his tight-fitting boxers. He jumped into the shower, allowing the warm water to relax his muscles. He began to wonder if the next time he was naked that night, if Cassandra would be with him. But he immediately scolded himself for being so assuming.

'It's just dinner, let's just see where it goes', he thought to himself.

He got out of the shower, then shaved. He walked back into the bedroom of the cabin, opening his suitcase. He put on a fresh pair of boxers, his favourite date pair, jet black and 100% cotton. He settled on a shirt, leaving it open collar. He then pulled on his fashionable jeans. Spraying a little bit of his cologne, he grabbed a jacket on his way out as he heard it could get a bit chilly on deck after the sun had set.

He grabbed his keycard and made for the door.

 

[queenclaire]

Cassandra was almost giddy about meeting Ray for dinner. She went back to her room and took a shower. She decided she needed to at least look somewhat good for tonight. She rarely got asked to dinner by such a hot man.

She stepped out of the shower and dried her hair. She then started to think about what to wear under her clothes. She laughed at herself. As if she would end up in bed with this man. She shook her head at how silly she was being. Still, she put on a pair of matching black lacey bra and panties. She then put on her makeup. She finished off her outfit with a low cut, but still tasteful black, cocktail dress and matching heels.

She saw the time and stood up. It was almost time to meet Ray. She smiled at herself in the mirror. She slipped her room key in her small clutch and left her room. She made her way to the bar where he told her to meet him. She was just a bit nervous. She sat at the bar as she awaited her date for the night.

 

[theficticiousme]

Ray made his way to Deck 8, and walked the short distance to the bar. He noticed that Cassandra was already there.

"Hi".

When she turned around, he couldn't help but stare. She looked ravishing. His eyes were immediately drawn to her cleavage, her dress was clearly designed to emphasise it. Bringing his head back up,

"Wow, you look amazing. Remind again why you are single?", laughing softly.

 

[queenclaire]

Cassandra looked to see a very handsome Ray standing there. She smiled sweetly at him and laughed softly. “Thank you and it is probably because I have no reason to dress like this at home.” She stood up from the stool, “Speaking of amazing, look at you. How is it you are single?” She gave him a wink. She was being a bit more flirty than normal, but she was here to enjoy herself.

 

[theficticiousme]

"I blame my job", Ray said with a chuckle.

"Shall we?", he beckoned towards the restuarant.

He put his hand on the small of her back as she left the stool, enjoying the soft touch of the fabric of her dress.

"Good evening sir", the maitre'd said, "Do you have a reservation?"
"Yes, under Schaper".

The maitre'd nodded, took two menus and guided them to a table by a bay window, which amazing views out to sea. Once seated, Ray smiled at Cassandra before looking at the menu. He had heard great things about this restaurant and the menu did not disappoint.

"Would you like a drink while you are waiting, Sir?", the maitre's asked.
"Yes, please bring us a bottle of the Shiraz".

The maitre'd nodded, turned and left.

 

[queenclaire]

Cassandra walked with Ray to the restaurant. She was impressed with the table he got and his choice of wine. She looked at him once they were alone, “This is a nice table. The view is amazing.” She looked out the window and then at the menu. Everything sounded so tasty. She was not sure what to order. More than that, she was having a hard time keeping her eyes off of her dinner date. He looked so handsome. She smiled as she looked back at her menu, “What do you think is the best thing to get?”

 

[theficticiousme]

Ray pondered for a moment, then asked,

"Are you a fan of chicken?"

When she nodded, he called the waiter over and ordered two chicken tagliatelles. Turning his attention back to Cassadra,

"So tell me a bit about yourself, we seemed to skip over that earlier, except the fact that we are both workaholics", he said laughing.